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Andrew Rannells

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Andrew Rannells
Andrew Rannells, July 2011
Born
Andrew Scott Rannells

(1978-08-23) August 23, 1978 (age 46)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
EducationCreighton Preparatory School
Alma materMarymount Manhattan College
Occupation(s)Actor, voice actor, singer
Years active1995–present
Known forElder Price,
The Book of Mormon
TelevisionThe New Normal
Girls
PartnerMike Doyle (2011–present)
AwardsGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
The Book of Mormon

Andrew Scott Rannells (born August 23, 1978) is an American actor, voice actor, and singer. He is perhaps best known for his work as Elder Price in the 2011 Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, which earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. As a featured soloist on the musical's Original Broadway Cast Recording, he won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. His other Broadway credits include Jersey Boys, Hairspray, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Most recently he portrayed King George III in Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical Hamilton, temporarily replacing Jonathan Groff in the role on Broadway.

Early life

Rannells was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Charlotte and the late Ronald Rannells.[1] Rannells' father had a heart attack very suddenly in 2001 when Rannells was 22.[2] He is the fourth of five siblings, with three sisters and an older brother.[1] His family has an Irish and Polish background.[2]

Rannells attended Our Lady of Lourdes grade school and then Creighton Prep,[1] an all-boys Catholic school in Omaha.[2][3] His family lived in the Hanscom Park neighborhood of Omaha.[1]

As a child Rannells took classes at the Emmy Gifford Children's Theater and performed at the Omaha Community Playhouse and the Firehouse Dinner Theatre and the Dundee Dinner Theatre.[1][4] Rannells was 11 when he did his first play. He did community theater with Conor Oberst.[5] Rannells also did voice-over work and commercials, including a 1996 Grease spoof with Amy Adams.[2]

Rannells moved to New York City in 1997 after high school, studying theater at Marymount Manhattan College for two years before he started auditioning full-time and was landing roles.[6]

Career

For about three years, from 2001–04, he worked with 4Kids Entertainment, a New York City animation production company, where his Omaha voice-over work served him well. He also directed a couple of video games, "Kirby" and "Sonic the Hedgehog."[1]

As a voice actor, Rannells appeared in several 4Kids and DiC television programs and video games, such as Yu-Gi-Oh![5] Before winning his first Broadway role, Rannells took part in a number of regional theater productions, including Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Miss Saigon, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.[7] For his turn as Hedwig at the Zachary Scott Theater Center in Austin, Texas, in 2002,[8] Rannells was nominated for and won for best actor in a musical at the B. Iden Payne Awards in September 2002, which honor outstanding achievements in Austin theater.[9] In 2006, he won the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of Hairspray.[10] This was his first Broadway show, what he considers his big break. Rannells followed this with some regional performances.[2]

Rannells played Bob Gaudio in the First National Tour of Jersey Boys. His last performance with the tour was on December 6, 2008 in Toronto. In January 2009, he reprised the role of Gaudio in the musical's Broadway production.

Rannells originated the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, a musical written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q composer Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. For his performance, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. He won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for his performance in the musical's Original Broadway Cast Recording. His last performance was June 10, 2012.[11]

Rannells played a stripper in the 2012 film Bachelorette[12] and played a lead character, Bryan Collins, in the 2012–13 television series The New Normal.[13][14]

Rannells currently plays the recurring role of Elijah on the HBO television series Girls.[15]

Rannells temporarily replaced Jonathan Groff in the role of King George III in Hamilton on Broadway from October 27 to November 29, 2015 while Groff fulfilled pre-arranged filming commitments.[16]

On March 31, 2016, it was announced that Rannells will play Whizzer in the Broadway revival of Falsettos directed by James Lapine. He is joined by Christian Borle and Stephanie J. Block who play Marvin and Trina, respectively.[17] The musical began previews on September 29, 2016.[18]

Personal life

Rannells is of Polish and Irish descent, and he is openly gay.[19] He knew he was gay by high school.[2] Rannells said he came out to his family when he was 18, but by then they had already figured it out.[20] He also came out to his theater friends but not the people at his all-boys Catholic school.[2] Rannells currently lives in New York City after temporarily re-locating to Los Angeles to film The New Normal.[2] He shares his life with actor Mike Doyle.[21]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Sex and the City 2 Wedding Chorus
2012 Bachelorette Manny
2015 The Intern Cameron
2016 Why Him? In post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995–97 Street Sharks Streex, Shrimp Louie (voices) Lead role
1999 Archie's Weird Mysteries Archie Andrews (voice) Lead role
2000 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Mako Tsunami, Noah Kaiba, Leon von Schroeder/Leon Wilson (voices: English dub) Recurring roles
2001–06 Pokémon Morty, Harley (Season 8), Chaz, Nicholai, Forrester Franklin, Forrest Franklin, Poncho, Shiro, Forrest, Additional Voices Recurring role
2001 Cubix Connor Lead role
2001 Fighting Foodons Fried Ricer (voice, English dub) Lead role
2001 Shaman King Len Tao (voice, English dub) Lead role
2002 Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Narrator, Cloaked Nightmare (voices: English dub) Recurring role
2002 Ultimate Muscle Additional voices Recurring role
2002 Tokyo Mew Mew Dren, Wesley J. Coolridge III (voices: English dub) Lead role
2002 Liberty's Kids Alexander Hamilton (voice) Guest role
2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Additional voices Recurring role
2003 Sonic X Narrator, Decoe, Bokkun, Mr. Stewart, E-101 Beta, E-102 Gamma, E-104 Epsilon (voices: English dub) Recurring role
2004 F-Zero GP Legend The Skull (voice: English dub) Recurring role
2004 One Piece Young Roranoa Zola (voice, 4Kids English dub) Guest role
2005 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Wheeler the Chimpanzee, Belowski, Additional voices Recurring role
2006 Pokémon Chronicles Additional Voices Recurring role
2012–present Girls Elijah Krantz Recurring role (season 1–3)
Main role (season 4–present)
2012–13 The New Normal Bryan Collins Lead role
2013 Comedy Bang! Bang! Quinn Abernathy Episode: "Clark Gregg Wears a Navy Blazer & White Collared Shirt"
2013–14 How I Met Your Mother Darren 2 episodes
2015 Glee Himself Episode: "Dreams Come True"
2015 The Knick Frazier H. Wingo 4 episodes
2016 The Simpsons Himself (voice) Episode: "How Lisa Got Her Marge Back"
2016 Another Period Bertram Harrison Fusselforth VII 3 episodes
2016 Sofia the First Morris (voice) Episode: "Beauty Is the Beast"
2016 Drunk History John A. Roebling Episode: "Landmarks"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Shadow the Hedgehog E-123 Omega, G.U.N. Officer

Theater

Year Title Role Notes
2000–01 Pokémon Live! James Baritone/Tenor
2005 Hairspray Fender, Link Larkin Replacement roles[22]
2006 The 60's Project Performer Chester, CT (Regional): World Premiere
2007 Jersey Boys Bob Gaudio US Tour: 1st National Tour, replacement role[23]
2011 The Book of Mormon Elder Price Originated role
2014 Hedwig and the Angry Inch Hedwig Replacement
2015 Hamilton King George III Temporary five week replacement
2016 Falsettos Whizzer Broadway revival

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2011 Tony Awards Best Actor in a musical The Book of Mormon Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated
2012 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album The Book of Mormon Won
2013 OFTA Awards Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Girls Nominated
Gold Derby Awards Best Comedy Guest Actor Nominated
Dorian Awards Rising Star — Nominated
2014 Gold Derby Awards Best Comedy Guest Actor Girls Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Nominated
2015 Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Replacement (Male) Hedwig and the Angry Inch Nominated
2016 Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Replacement (Male) Hamilton Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Fischbach, Bob (May 1, 2011). "He has drive — and now Broadway". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Taylor, Aisha (February 11, 2014). "girl on guy 126: andrew rannells" (audio podcast). girl on guy. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. ^ Miller, Bruce R. (2011). "'Nebraska native finds stardom in 'Book of Mormon'". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Francke, Warren (September 9, 2012). "Omaha's Andy Now in New Normal: Oompa-Loompa Before Mormon Missionary". The Reader (Omaha). Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b Rapkin, Mickey (9 June 2011). "Q&A: The Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells". GQ. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  6. ^ Yi, David (June 9, 2011). "'The Book of Mormon' star Andrew Rannells: college dropout turned actor gets suited up for the Tonys". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  7. ^ Broadway.com Staff (30 December 2008). "Andrew Rannells Tapped to Play Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys". Broadway Buzz. Broadway.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ Faires, Robert (4 October 2002). "Articulations". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  10. ^ Truitt, Brian (June 9, 2011). "Rannells relishes first Tony nomination". USA Today. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 6, 2012). ""Two By Two": Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells Will Be Succeeded By Jared Gertner and Nic Rouleau in Book of Mormon". Playbill. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Ganz, Andrew (10 August 2012). "Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells Takes It Off in "Bachelorette" Film; Comedy Available on VOD Aug. 10". Playbill. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  13. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 22, 2012). "'The Hangover Star Joins NBC's Ryan Murphy Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  14. ^ Miller, Bruce (November 24, 2012). "Andrew Rannells sends up boss in 'New Normal'". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  15. ^ Lynch, Matthew (April 28, 2011). "Andrew Rannells: Keeping the Faith". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  16. ^ "Tony Nominee Andrew Rannells Will Step In for Jonathan Groff in Hamilton on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  17. ^ Paulson, Michael. "‘Falsettos’ Revival Casts Its Leads: Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells and Stephanie J. Block" nytimes.com, March 31, 2016
  18. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Marvin’s Back with Whizzer, as 'Falsettos' Revival Begins" Playbill, September 29, 2016
  19. ^ Siegel, Miranda (May 29, 2012). "Andrew Rannells on His Girls Character, Slapping Marnie, and His New Ryan Murphy Show". Vulture-New York. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  20. ^ Martin, Denise (January 29, 2013). "Andrew Rannells: The Boy Scout With the Dirty Mouth". Vulture-New York. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  21. ^ Who is Mike Doyle
  22. ^ Joy, Cara (November 11, 2005). "Andrew Rannells to Star as Hairspray's Next Link Larkin". broadway.com. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  23. ^ Aradi, Cathi (March 3, 2008). "JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Andrew Rannells!". jerseyboysblog.com. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
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